Choo Smith camp empowers Baltimore youth through basketball and life skills
BALTIMORE — Young participants at the Choo Smith Youth Empowerment camp have spent the last five weeks learning more than just basketball fundamentals. WATCH: Choo Smith camp empowers Baltimore youth through basketball and life skills Choo Smith camp empowers Baltimore youth through basketball and life skills The program, founded by Baltimore native and former Harlem […]
BALTIMORE — Young participants at the Choo Smith Youth Empowerment camp have spent the last five weeks learning more than just basketball fundamentals.
WATCH: Choo Smith camp empowers Baltimore youth through basketball and life skills
Choo Smith camp empowers Baltimore youth through basketball and life skills
The program, founded by Baltimore native and former Harlem Globetrotter Choo Smith, combines athletic training with lessons in civic engagement, financial literacy, fine arts, and mentorship.
“Using basketball as a tool to bring them in and then utilizing all the different life resources and helping them elevate to them,” said Smith.
The camp’s mission extends beyond sports, aiming to shape the futures of Baltimore youth.
“Other basketball camps, I would say it’s strictly basketball; we do a lot of learning here about, like, being a community and how we can help Baltimore be a better place, so I really enjoy it for those reasons,” said Briar Rose Moore, a camp participant.
Smith created the camp 20 years ago with the goal of uplifting young people from his hometown.
“I was able to achieve some things to come back to give it so these kids can do better than me,” said Smith.
He notes that the program’s growth has allowed him to achieve his original vision and more, with the five-week experience transforming young players’ lives.
“Young people talking about stocks. They talk about bonds. They talking about shares and things of that and to see them from week one bored, not wanting to listen now they up and they’re vibrant, and they’re thriving like on a whole another level,” said Smith.
Fifteen-year-old Briar Rose Moore is attending the camp for her second year. She reports improvements in her basketball skills and a clearer vision for her future both on and off the court.
“I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do. But being here, I know that I could pursue more things, like in relation to finance or accounting or anything I wanna do, while still enjoying what I do and playing basketball,” said Moore.
The camp concludes Friday with its first-ever trip to Hershey Park. Looking ahead, Smith is developing a community center that will continue supporting Baltimore’s youth for years to come.
This story was reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
Cape Girardeau Parks and Rec Department hosts groundbreaking for new Youth Outdoor Sports Complex – KBSI FOX23 News Cape Girardeau News
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – Local Parks and Recreation Officials of Cape Girardeau marked a big step forward today as they hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for a youth complex. The ceremony took place at 12:00 pm om Friday July 25, 2025. Many community members and city leaders attended including Cape Girardeau’s Mayor Stacey Kinder to […]
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – Local Parks and Recreation Officials of Cape Girardeau marked a big step forward today as they hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for a youth complex.
The ceremony took place at 12:00 pm om Friday July 25, 2025.
Many community members and city leaders attended including Cape Girardeau’s Mayor Stacey Kinder to support the building of a new multimillion dollar Youth Outdoor Sports Complex.
ScottWilliams is the Recreation Division Manager. He says theneed for additionalfields has been evident for several years as they’ve been limited on the number of tournaments they can hold with their current 8 fields. Additionally,the new facility will have turf fields making practice and games still possible during the rainy season.
“The groundbreaking today at the Shawnee Parks Sports Complex is the expansion of our footprint in Cape Girardeau” says Williams. “We’re adding 5 additional youth baseball and softball fields geared for youth baseball and softball leagues and sports tourism tournaments.”
Williams shares that by being able to host more tournaments it will bring morepeople to the area leaving a community impact economically.
“All tied together Cape Girardeau is blessed with having the support of the community that’s passed all these projects that do promote tourism and bring people into town that has tourism, restaurant, retail and all kinds of service impact when they come to town” says Williams.
They broke ground for the project today and when it’s done there will 5 brand new turf fields for citizens of all ages to utilize.
Doug Gannon is the Parks and Rec Director in Cape Girardeau. Heshareshow the project is being funded.
“The Parks and Recreation Storm Water Tax was passed by the citizens of Cape Girardeau in 2018″ says Gannon.” There was a number of projects that were identified as part of a PRS tax. One of them was a youth sports complex which you see behind us today. So, the funding is coming from that tax which was passed in 2018 by the citizens of Cape Girardeau, and it will set in 2033.”
The project is estimated to be done by April of 2026.
Jaylin Williams hosts second annual basketball camp in Fort Smith
>> IT ONLY. >> TOOK 40S FOR TICKETS TO SELL OUT TO THE JALEN WILLIAMS YOUTH BASKETBALL CAMP HERE IN FORT SMITH. TICKETS WERE GONE IN A LITTLE OVER A MINUTE FOR SATURDAY’S CAMP IN SPRINGDALE. AND KIDS WE TALKED TO SAY, LEARNING FIRSTHAND FROM AN NBA CHAMPION IS SOMETHING THEY’LL NEVER FORGET. >> I […]
>> IT ONLY. >> TOOK 40S FOR TICKETS TO SELL OUT TO THE JALEN WILLIAMS YOUTH BASKETBALL CAMP HERE IN FORT SMITH. TICKETS WERE GONE IN A LITTLE OVER A MINUTE FOR SATURDAY’S CAMP IN SPRINGDALE. AND KIDS WE TALKED TO SAY, LEARNING FIRSTHAND FROM AN NBA CHAMPION IS SOMETHING THEY’LL NEVER FORGET. >> I WILL REMEMBER THIS FOR MY WHOLE ENTIRE LIFE. >> SEVEN YEAR OLD JACK JONES IS ONE OF 150 KIDS WHO GOT TO LEARN TODAY FROM OKC THUNDER, NBA CHAMP JALEN WILLIAMS. >> I’M JUST REALLY PROUD OF JALEN TEACHING ALL OF US AND I AND I’M PROUD OF MYSELF FOR BEING AN ALL STAR. AND I’M REALLY HAPPY RIGHT NOW. >> ANYTHING FOR THE KIDS. I WANT THEM TO WANT THEM TO HAVE AN AMAZING TIME. AS A KID. YOU DREAM OF THINGS LIKE THIS, AND I HOPE THAT WHEN THEY GO BACK TO SCHOOL, THEY SAY THIS WAS THEIR FAVORITE THING FROM THE SUMMER. >> FROM PEARL HARBOR TO NBA CHAMPION. LIKE MANY OF THESE KIDS, WILLIAMS STARTED PLAYING BASKETBALL AT THE FORT SMITH BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB, AND THEN IN HIGH SCHOOL, HE WAS A STANDOUT PLAYER FOR THE NORTHSIDE GRIZZLIES, WHICH IS WHERE TODAY’S CAMP WAS HELD. >> I THINK THE BIGGEST THING IS TO SHOW THEM THAT, LIKE THEY’RE GOING THROUGH ALL THE PLACES THAT I WENT THROUGH, I WAS AT THIS HIGH SCHOOL AT THAT BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB, WHERE IT HAS MY FOOTPRINTS. WALKING THROUGH THE GYM, I WALK THOSE SAME STEPS. SO I THINK THAT’S THE BIGGEST THING, IS SHOWING THESE KIDS THAT ME AND ZAY, WE CAME THROUGH THESE SAME BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS, THESE SAME HIGH SCHOOLS, SAME JUNIOR HIGHS AND SAME PARKS. >> AND I KNOW HE’S EXHAUSTED, BUT HE’S HERE TO GIVE BACK TO THE KIDS HERE IN FORT SMITH. >> MAYOR GEORGE MCGILL WAS CHEERING THEM ON FROM COURTSIDE. >> IT GIVES PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE WHAT GIVING BACK ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE, AND WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE ON THE RECEIVING END. GIVING IN OF ALL OF THIS. AND SO WE ARE A SHINING EXAMPLE OF WHAT A CLOSE KNIT COMMUNITY CAN DO. >> AND WHILE BECOMING A CHAMPION ON THE COURT MIGHT SEEM IMPOSSIBLE, AS THESE KIDS LEARNED, IT ALL STARTS WITH DREAMS AND HARD WORK. >> I COULD DO THIS TO ONE DAY. YOU HAVE TO LEARN THE GAME OF BASKETBALL AND PLAY EVERY DAY. >> NOW THE PROCEEDS FROM THE BASKETBALL CAMPS BENEFIT THE GRIZZLY CUB, YOUTH FOOTBALL AND CHEER. ORGANIZATION. WILLIAMS SAYS THE BASKETBALL CAMPS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN THIS TIME NEXT YEAR AND FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE. IN FORT SMITH, BRETT RAINS 40/29 NEWS. >> IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, YOU CAN ACTUALLY WATCH THURSDAY’S PARADE WITH JALEN WILLIAMS AND ISAIAH JOE CELEBRATING WITH FANS. >> YEAH. SO THAT’S ON OUR WEBSITE 40/29 TV.C
Jaylin Williams hosts second annual youth basketball camp in Fort Smith
Updated: 5:29 PM CDT Jul 25, 2025
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Hundreds of young basketball enthusiasts gathered in Fort Smith for the second annual Jaylin Williams Youth Basketball Camp, an event that has quickly grown in popularity. With tickets selling out in just 40 seconds, the camp has become a summer highlight for kids eager to learn from Oklahoma City Thunder NBA champion Jaylin Williams.The Fort Smith camp, held at Williams’ alma mater, Northside High School, brought 150 kids together for an unforgettable day of basketball drills, lessons, and inspiring mentorship. “Oh, I will remember this for my whole entire life,” said 7-year-old participant Jack Jones from Fayetteville, beaming with excitement. “I’m just really proud of Jaylin teaching all of us tonight. And I’m proud of myself for being an All-Star. I’m really happy right now.”Reflecting on his motivation for hosting the camp, Williams said, “Anything for the kids. I want them to have an amazing time. As a kid, you dream of things like this, and I hope that when they go back to school, they say this was their favorite thing in the summer.”The NBA champ’s connection to the community is deep-rooted. Williams began his basketball journey in Fort Smith at the Boys and Girls Club before starring for the Northside Grizzlies in high school. He emphasized the importance of showing kids that dreams begin where they stand today. “Walking through the gym, I walk those same steps,” Williams said. “I think the biggest thing is showing these kids that me and came to these same Boys and Girls Club, the same high school, same junior highs, and same parks.”Fort Smith Mayor George McGill cheered on the young athletes from courtside, commending Williams for his dedication to the community. “I know he’s exhausted, but he’s here to give back to the kids here in Fort Smith,” McGill said. “It gives people an opportunity to see what giving back actually looks like and what it feels like to be on the receiving end.”The camp not only inspired dreams but also encouraged teamwork and dedication. “I could do this too one day,” Jones said. “Teamwork and you have to learn the game of basketball and play every day.”Proceeds from the camp benefit the Grizzly Cub Youth Football and Cheer organization, ensuring that the event gives back to the community in more ways than one. Williams told 40/29 News that the camp will return next summer and for years to come, continuing to offer kids opportunities to dream big and work hard.
FORT SMITH, Ark. —
Hundreds of young basketball enthusiasts gathered in Fort Smith for the second annual Jaylin Williams Youth Basketball Camp, an event that has quickly grown in popularity. With tickets selling out in just 40 seconds, the camp has become a summer highlight for kids eager to learn from Oklahoma City Thunder NBA champion Jaylin Williams.
The Fort Smith camp, held at Williams’ alma mater, Northside High School, brought 150 kids together for an unforgettable day of basketball drills, lessons, and inspiring mentorship. “Oh, I will remember this for my whole entire life,” said 7-year-old participant Jack Jones from Fayetteville, beaming with excitement. “I’m just really proud of Jaylin teaching all of us tonight. And I’m proud of myself for being an All-Star. I’m really happy right now.”
Reflecting on his motivation for hosting the camp, Williams said, “Anything for the kids. I want them to have an amazing time. As a kid, you dream of things like this, and I hope that when they go back to school, they say this was their favorite thing in the summer.”
The NBA champ’s connection to the community is deep-rooted. Williams began his basketball journey in Fort Smith at the Boys and Girls Club before starring for the Northside Grizzlies in high school. He emphasized the importance of showing kids that dreams begin where they stand today. “Walking through the gym, I walk those same steps,” Williams said. “I think the biggest thing is showing these kids that me and [my peers] came to these same Boys and Girls Club, the same high school, same junior highs, and same parks.”
Fort Smith Mayor George McGill cheered on the young athletes from courtside, commending Williams for his dedication to the community. “I know he’s exhausted, but he’s here to give back to the kids here in Fort Smith,” McGill said. “It gives people an opportunity to see what giving back actually looks like and what it feels like to be on the receiving end.”
The camp not only inspired dreams but also encouraged teamwork and dedication. “I could do this too one day,” Jones said. “Teamwork and you have to learn the game of basketball and play every day.”
Proceeds from the camp benefit the Grizzly Cub Youth Football and Cheer organization, ensuring that the event gives back to the community in more ways than one. Williams told 40/29 News that the camp will return next summer and for years to come, continuing to offer kids opportunities to dream big and work hard.
TRAILBLAZERS: Danny Aronson wants Park City to be known as the nation’s best youth-sports town
Dan “Danny” Aronson, founder of Sport4Growth and leader of the new Park City Youth Sports Coalition. Photo: Dan Aronson PARK CITY, Utah — Danny Aronson has spent decades coaching, advising and cheering from the sidelines. Now he aims to unite Park City’s many programs under one communitywide banner. Aronson, founder of the strategic-planning firm Sport4Growth, […]
Dan “Danny” Aronson, founder of Sport4Growth and leader of the new Park City Youth Sports Coalition. Photo: Dan Aronson
PARK CITY, Utah — Danny Aronson has spent decades coaching, advising and cheering from the sidelines. Now he aims to unite Park City’s many programs under one communitywide banner.
Aronson, founder of the strategic-planning firm Sport4Growth, has convened the new Park City Youth Sports Coalition, a network of clubs, coaches and families he hopes will “build the best youth sports community we can imagine.”
“We’re blessed with outstanding programs run by quality people,” Aronson said in an interview. “But those organizations often always operate in silos, and a child’s sports journey rarely does.”
Similar Reads On TownLift
The coalition’s purpose, mission and vision follow a simple arc: make programs more intentional, aligned, evidence-based and accessible so that every child can stay in sports longer and reap greater benefit at lower cost. Early work will center on seven impact areas, from shared scheduling tools to coach development and data-driven feedback loops.
No top-down mandates, just a “big tent”
Aronson stresses that the coalition must not dictate programming nor strip organizations of identity, “It must be flexible to support the goals of each individual organization.”
“I envision the biggest tent you can imagine, where every organization keeps doing what makes it special,” he said. “Being inside the tent should only help them get better — on their own terms.”
Common language is a starting point. Clubs will be encouraged to publish clear development goals and commitment levels so families can compare options sport-by-sport on a single hub site now in planning. The clarity, Aronson believes, will reduce mismatched expectations that often put coaches and parents at odds.
Evidence and the long game
Nationally, only about 30% of kids remain in organized sports after age 13. Aronson wants Park City to flip that statistic on its head.
“Let’s aim for 60, 70, 80 percent,” he said. “For example, we could track how many of our graduates join an intramural team their freshman year of college — that’s a real indicator of lifelong engagement.”
Upstream metrics will measure how many 7-, 8- and 9-year-olds find at least one sport they love and can afford. Addressing cost barriers, he added, will require collaboration on fundraising and scholarships: “When we do this together, we open the door to new donors who see they’re supporting the whole community, not just one team.”
How to plug in
The coalition’s first community meeting is slated for July 30. Most local sports organizations have signed on, Aronson said, but he wants parents in the room as well.
“If you like what you’re hearing, tell your club you hope they’re participating — then sign up for updates,” he said. “Families deserve a voice in how this system evolves.”
Aronson’s own yardstick for progress rests on four core values he repeated like a mantra: intentional, evidence-based, accountable, nonjudgmental.
“Different families want different things from sports, and that’s OK,” he said. “Our job is to help everyone find the right fit — and cheer each other on while we do it.”
For more information or to join the conversation, visit the Park City Youth Sports Coalition page.
Similar Reads On TownLift
TRAILBLAZERS is a new TownLift column spotlighting the individuals who help shape Park City and Summit County. Through their work, dedication, and impact, these community members contribute to what makes this area such a special place to live, work and play. Each feature highlights the stories of locals making a difference in the place we’re lucky enough to call home.
Know someone who should be recognized?
Nominate them at tips@townlift.com.
Parents concerned after personal information of hundreds of children exposed
DEARBORN HEIGHTS, Mich. (WXYZ) — The personal information of hundreds of children was exposed online after city officials in Dearborn Heights accidentally published sensitive data on the city’s website. Watch Ruta Ulcinaite’s video report: Privacy violated for youth athletes The children are all connected to a local nonprofit sports club, and parents are demanding answers […]
DEARBORN HEIGHTS, Mich. (WXYZ) — The personal information of hundreds of children was exposed online after city officials in Dearborn Heights accidentally published sensitive data on the city’s website.
Watch Ruta Ulcinaite’s video report:
Privacy violated for youth athletes
The children are all connected to a local nonprofit sports club, and parents are demanding answers as officials engage in finger-pointing over who’s responsible.
Names, addresses, and birthdays of children were made public by the City of Dearborn Heights. Parents are concerned about who had access to this information and what they might do with it.
“That’s what’s scary…there’s no way to tell how many people have this information,” said Sara Short, mother of a 13-year-old who participates in multiple sports with the nonprofit District 7 Dad’s Club.
WXYZ
Parent Sara Short
The club is a community staple that allows hundreds of children in the area to play sports at a low cost.
“It definitely keeps them out of trouble, it keeps them engaged, it keeps their friendships going,” Short said.
Parents were shocked to discover their children’s personal information was posted by the city to their meeting agenda minutes online last week. The information remained publicly accessible until a parent noticed it and it was taken down about 24 hours later.
“I guarantee you every one of us parents have thought of every scenario that could go wrong,” Short said. When asked what scenarios concerned her most, she replied, “The predators in the area.”
WXYZ
Athletes playing baseball with District 7 Dad’s Club
The club, which had to submit the information of their athletes to the city for a reimbursement check, provided a statement saying:
The District 7 Dad’s Club Board of Directors holds the safety and security of its athletes at the utmost important level. We follow required procedures, described by the city of Dearborn Heights to receive our seasonal funding. The mayor has assured us that this matter is under investigation and will never happen again.
When 7 News Detroit went to city hall to investigate, the city clerk explained that multiple departments review agenda items before they’re posted online, and acknowledged the mistake.
“I totally agree with them, it was wrong,” said Lynne Senia, Dearborn Heights city clerk.
WXYZ
City of Dearborn Heights Clerk Lynne Senia
City Council Chairman Mo Baydoun claims the final review and approval belonged to the mayor.
“I can’t put the blame on any of these departments. What I can tell you is this goes through the administration, and the administration should’ve caught this,” Baydoun said.
The mayor, however, said the council chair is the last person to review agenda items, stating in a statement:
The way the process works, the finance office puts the invoices that are submitted by individual departments. The clerk reviews and sends to the Council Chair (Mohammad Baydoun (MO). He reviews and approves the agenda for the Council meetings. Mohammad is the last person to review and approve every item on the agenda. We are still investigating.
With officials pointing fingers at each other, parents are left wondering how their children will be protected going forward.
“What policies are they gonna put in place to make sure that this never happens again? Because it’s a violation of so many different things,” Short said.
The issue is expected to be a major topic at the next special meeting at City Hall next Tuesday, where residents will have an opportunity to voice their concerns.
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This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
